Parents and Guardians

Congratulations to your student for deciding to study abroad! In today's global economy, study abroad has become one of the most integral, enriching, and transformative components in a student's college career. Many companies and graduate schools desire candidates who have had the experience of living in a foreign country and who have the ability to work with people from many cultural backgrounds. Study abroad can provide the structure for students to acquire these skills and give them an edge over the competition. The distinction of having studied in a foreign country for a summer, semester, or year can be invaluable to your child's future career in today's competitive job market. 

The University of Connecticut offers over two hundred study abroad programs in sixty-five countries on six continents. In order to make study abroad an option available to as many students as possible, the Office of Study Abroad is committed to providing opportunities that are both affordable and meet the high academic standards of the University of Connecticut.  We work with faculty and departments across campus to provide credit that will allow participants to make substantial progress in their degree programs while studying abroad. 

There are many steps necessary to plan and participate in a study abroad program. We believe that our students need to take charge of planning and implementing their study in a foreign country with tasks that include picking and applying to a program, getting a passport and visa, understanding how to get course credit, and enrolling in courses abroad.  However, the staff at the Office of Study Abroad is here to advise and guide them through the entire process.

Your support is extremely important as well. Please view the attached Study Abroad Student Guide, a booklet designed to help your student understand the step-by-step process of study abroad at the University of Connecticut. It includes useful information about the application process, finances, the stages of adjustment students encounter while abroad and answers to frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, we encourage you to consult our website or to contact the Office of Study Abroad. 

Dr. Elizabeth Mahan, Executive Director

Office of Global Affairs
University of Connecticut